The Position of SkyNet-1A Satellite has Shifted: It is Now Located Approximately Halfway Around the Globe from Its Expectated Position
The Position of SkyNet-1A Satellite has Shifted: It is Now Located Approximately Halfway Around the Globe from Its Expectated Position
A spacecraft that had been inactive for half a century unexpectedly found itself far from its intended location, thousands of miles off from its designated orbital graveyard. Instead of spending eternity in a quiet orbit, the once-active communications satellite is now circling above the Americas, its reason for being there a mystery, probably due to human intervention moving it there.
The satellite, known as Skynet-1A, was launched in 1969 into a geostationary orbit over Eastern Africa, serving the British military for communications. Upon reaching the end of its life, it was supposed to drift towards a safe point in its orbit where it could peacefully deteriorate, away from the danger of colliding with other defunct spacecraft. However, contrary to expectations, the satellite was inexplicably commanded to a completely new position in its orbit, over 22,369 miles (36,000 km) above the Americas, as reported by the BBC. In its current position, the long-dormant satellite poses a higher risk of collision with other space debris.
BBC technology correspondent, Jonathan Amos, recently delved into the enigma surrounding Skynet-1A, investigating who might have relocated the United Kingdom's oldest satellite sometime in the 1970s. The possibility that the Americans might be responsible added an intriguing twist to the story.
The satellite's unexpected location rules out passive drift as an explanation. Instead, someone intentionally activated the satellite's thrusters, moving it westward.
Manufactured in the U.S. and launched on board a U.S. Air Force Delta rocket, Skynet-1A was initially tested in space by the U.S. before being handed over to the Royal Air Force. Examining the documents connected to the satellite, the BBC found hints that control was returned to the U.S. in June 1977, and it was the Americans who issued the final command.
Surprisingly, the satellite ended up halfway around the world, orbiting the Americas, behavior that should have raised its orbit to a safer "orbital graveyard" for defunct satellites. Today, the U.K.'s ministry of defense vigilantly monitors the satellite to detect any impending threats of collision.
The location of inactive satellites in orbit is unknown, thereby posing challenges, whether it's in geosynchronous orbit or low Earth orbit. Current data from the Department of Defense's global Space Surveillance Network shows more than 27,000 pieces of orbital debris, with the risk of collision increasing for satellites and other dead spacecraft. The issue of orbital debris was not as pressing when Skynet-1A was launched, but it is a severe concern today. Consequently, companies should keep track of their satellites' final destinations in Earth's orbit, even those that have been inactive for over 50 years.
- Given the recent discovery of Skynet-1A in its unexpected orbital position, future efforts in space exploration and satellite technology should include more robust security measures to prevent unauthorized manipulation of satellites.
- With the increasing use of space for scientific research and commerce, the incident of Skynet-1A raises concerns about the potential misuse of space technology in the future, highlighting the need for international regulations to safeguard the stability of space.